Classical radio station WFMT broadcast the first of a 10-part series titled “Music From Northwestern” from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The broadcast, on 98.7 FM, was an overview showcasing some of the next nine programs in the series, each of which will have feature performances and accompanying interviews with students and faculty.
The idea originated with Music Dean Toni-Marie Montgomery’s interest in radio programming, said Ellen Schantz, director of communications and marketing for the School of Music
“Other (Chicago-area music) schools have had a day of music on FMT and the dean decided she wanted a whole series,” Schantz said.
Sunday’s hour-long program featured a preview of program lineups along with commentary from Montgomery, who was interviewed about the pieces. Future programs each will have a theme centering on a concentration within the School of Music.
Next Sunday’s program will highlight the orchestral program with commentary from Director of Orchestras Victor Yampolsky and Asst. Director Robert Hasty. Later programs will feature NU’s band, choral, vocal and jazz programs, faculty performances, composition faculty members and student instrumental performances.
The series will conclude Dec. 5 with a highlight of the upcoming Winter Chamber Music Festival and Rite of Strings festival.
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall Director of Concerts and series co-producer Richard Van Kleeck said he hopes to increase the awareness of the school of music in the Chicago area.
“It’s going to be an incredible showcase for the School of Music,” Van Kleeck said. “People in greater Chicago know what a great university Northwestern is, but they don’t necessarily know that the School of Music is one of the top music schools in the country.”
Graduate conducting student Ruth Lin was hoping for a more tangible outcome to the series.
“Maybe it will bring us better publicity,” Lin said. “And using that they could actually get us some better facilities.”
Director of Bands Mallory Thompson said faculty were excited about the opportunity to increase community awareness of the quality of programs at NU.
“There should be a really tremendous response to this series,” Thompson said. “It’s been a lot of work, but a lot of fun putting everything together.”
Van Kleeck said preparations for the first few shows began last winter while later programs in the series remain in the planning stages.
“What I did was talked to all the faculty — harangued them sometimes — to put together ten different programs,” Van Kleeck said.
Schantz said that credit for the realization of this project goes entirely to Van Kleeck, who apparently listened to “literally hundreds of recordings.”
“We’re all just extremely grateful to (Van Kleeck) for his work,” Schantz said. “It’s frankly miraculous that he pulled this all together so quickly, and especially over a summer, when faculty aren’t available.”
Thompson said she’s told others about the series and will listen herself.
“I’m anxious to hear it,” Thompson said. “I’ll listen to the whole thing too — not just my part.”
On Sunday’s program Montgomery said she hopes “when (Chicago-area residents) are listing those reasons why they like being in this area, that the Northwestern University School of Music will be included.”
But Van Kleeck said the series is not meant to be overlooked by those within the school.
“I hope Northwestern students will tune in a little bit too,” Van Kleeck said. “I’m sure they would love hearing some of what their colleagues are doing because it is impressive.”
Reach Tristan Arnold at [email protected].
